Karachi airport attack Live: Tehreek-e-Taliban claims credit - #KarachiAirport

8.02 am: Tehreek-e-Taliban claim responsibility for Karachi airport

The Tehreek-e-Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Karachi airport.

The militants claimed responsibility a few hours after the Pakistan army said that a six hour siege of the airport had ended.

Although it was not clear what reasons the Tehreek-e-Taliban had given for the attacks, they come even as government-led peace talks with the local Taliban faction and other militants have floundered in recent weeks.

7.38 am: Pak army says Karachi airport attackers carried 'Indian made' weapons

With the attack on the Karachi international airport finally ending, attention is now turning to who is responsible for the audacious 26/11 style attack. No one has claimed responsibility so far.

While some reports have implicated the Taliban, a news report by India Today quoted the Pakistan Rangers as saying that the weapons recovered from the militants are of Indian make.

There has however been no official claim made in this regard as yet.

Gunfire and explosions lit up the Karachi night sky: AP

6.30 am: Pakistan army declares military operation over

Pakistan's army spokesman declared an end to a military operation following a six-hour long siege of Pakistan's busiest airport in the southern city of Karachi Monday. "Update: Area cleared. No damage to aircraft, fire visible in pics was not plane but a building, now extinguished. All vital assets intact," tweeted Major General Asim Bajwa at 4:35 am (1135 GMT Sunday).

Bajwa added that a total of 10 militants were killed in clashes with security forces, and that ammunition, rockets and RPGs were recovered from the attackers, who wore "big packs". "Precautionary sweep after day light. Airport will be cleared by mid day for operations, handed back to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)/ASF (Airport Security Force). Pakistan Zindabad (long live Pakistan)!" he later tweeted.

5.30 am: Militants disguised as airport security launch 26/11 style attack on Karachi airport

Gunmen disguised as police guards attacked a terminal at Pakistan's busiest airport Sunday night with machine guns and a rocket launcher, killing at least 13 people as explosions echoed into the night, officials said. A separate suicide bombing in the country's southwest killed 23 Shiite pilgrims returning from Iran, authorities said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, nor the suicide bombing in Baluchistan province. However, the attacks come as government-led peace talks with the local Taliban faction and other militants have floundered in recent weeks.

Heavy gunfire and multiple explosions could be heard coming from the terminal, used for VIP flights and cargo. A major fire rose from the airport, illuminating the night sky in an orange glow as the silhouettes of jets could be seen. The deadly operation was carried out by 10 militants, said the Chief Minister of Sindh province, Qaim Ali Shah.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/world/karachi-airport-attack-live-tehreek-e-taliban-claims-responsibility-1561631.html?utm_source=ref_article